A friend commented on my last post about an aspect of God’s love and His desire. He said: “Unrequited love is indeed excruciating, especially when it comes from Him. Wait, what? Yes, you read that right. Just like there are times when we ask but don’t receive, and we learn that this was for a greater purpose, so too we will ask for Him alone, but which He remains strangely aloof. Where are you Lord?”
This comment reminded me of Christ’s dealing with the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15.
The woman came and knelt before Him. “Lord, help me!” she said. But Jesus replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” “Yes, Lord,” she said, “even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” “O woman,” Jesus answered, “your faith is great! Let it be done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
Matthew 15:25-28
While His immediate “no” might be painful in the moment, I love it when He uses it to expand our capacity to receive more of Him. Often Christ expands the level of our desire through a “no” in order to increase the level of our fulfilment.
Echo: Is it Mine or His Desire I’m experiencing?
If I have any hunger for the Lord, any desire to pursue Him, I know it’s only an echo of God’s desire for and pursuit of me. I’ve heard many people talk about God’s absence. Many feel their longing for Him goes unanswered. But I am here to attest to the fact that if there’s any hunger in my mortal frame, it’s because He is allowing His own passion to reverberate like an echo within my frame.
In my life, I have at times believed that I was being mistreated and abandoned in my need by God. I felt as if my desire was left wanting. There was nothing further from the truth though. My hunger is predicated on His own desire for me. Nothing God-pursuant originates from me.
His Desire and Passion Echoes Through Me
I feel like I have written about this before, but it can never be stated too much. Knowing this is a tremendous comfort: my desire is only an echo of His desire. If I desire God, it’s the reflection of His desire for me. And when my heart embraces His desire, I receive His love. This makes the moments of waiting more palatable. Waiting in desire is merely His desire waiting in me. My faith united with His desire leads to fulfillment. This can silence my soul-bruises and whining suspicions of Him. I am loved because I desire Him! And the evidence of this rests in the echoes of His own desire, in me.
This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us…
1 John 4:10 NIV
We love Him because He first loved us.
1 John 4:19 NKJV
For more on the love affair with God, I can’t recommend highly enough the following audio series by Martha: Above All, Love; Kiss the Son; Kingdom of the Son of His Love; Love Reigns.
Every year during the month of Elul I put up a tent in my prayer/art room. I face it toward the east. I spend time in this little, sheltered place. When the Feast of Trumpets comes all the way until the Day if Atonement, I just wait for Him to cross the threshold of Heaven and come. Sometimes the yearning is palpable from both sides. I keenly feel His longing. Sometimes I am overwhelmed by the set up of it all. It is a bit like finding out that your long distance sweetheart is poised to come home but He… Read more »
This is the best part. We wait but not alone! He is perfect. Thank you for sharing! Bless you Deborah.
I am touched by your heart for Him Deborah.
May you be blessed with your hearts desires.
Yeeessss! I just wish I was better at remembering this when I need it. 🙂
Without a doubt Don! Let’s remind each other regularly…?
You are able to express spiritual truth in overwhelming beauty!
What a refreshing wonderful word, John! Thank you so much for this reminder…all the initiative comes from God! Praise Him for such boundless incomprehensible love!
Well said John! The very thought of His love abounding producing a corresponding echo within is just a marvelous truth and consideration.